title: Bedside placement of peripherally inserted central catheters: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two strategies for placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). In strategy A, all PICC placements were initially attempted at the patient's bedside by trained intravenous (i.v.) nurses, with failures referred to the interventional radiology (IR) service. In strategy B, all PICCs were placed by interventional radiologists under fluoroscopic and/or venographic guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Decision analysis and cost-effectiveness models were constructed with commercially available software. Data used in the model were obtained from a review of the authors' experience with bedside placement of PICCs by an i.v. team and data obtained from the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cost-effectiveness of strategy A relative to strategy B depends on (a) the ability of the i.v. team to access a vein at the patient's bedside, (b) the cost of fluoroscopy or the IR suite, and (c) the intended use of the PICC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If the cost of fluoroscopy or the IR suite exceeds $100, strategy A is more cost-effective for most intended PICC uses. If the cost is less than $75, strategy B is more cost-effective for all intended PICC uses. If the cost is between $75 and $100, the most cost-effective strategy depends on the intended use of the PICC and the need to have the tip placed at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Neuman
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000191:economics*; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000191:economics